Machine for threading tuft-yarns.



(3-. LEA.

MACHINE FOR THREADING TUFT YARNS.

APPLICATiON FILED JAN.3$.1914. 1,213,216, Patented Jan. 23,1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

fiaveniaz" flharies ea,

C. LEA.

MACHINE FOR THREADING TUFT YARNS.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

C. LEA.

MACHINE FOR THREADING IUFT YARNS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31; I914.

s SHEETS-SHEET a.

mvemfiy Qi'hardes Idea,

Patented Jan. 23, 191?.

C. LEA.

MACHl-NE FOR THREADING TUFT YARNS.

APPLICATION FiLED JAN. 31. 1914.

1,213,21 6. Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

C. LEA.

MACHINE FOR THREADING TUFT YARNS.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.3I.1914.

1,213,216. Patent-ed Jan. '23, 1917.

SSHEET 5.

C. LEA.

MACHINE FOR THREADING TUFT YARNS.

- APPLICAIION FILED JAN. 31. m4.

1,21 3,21 6. Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

6 SHEETSSHEET 6.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES LEA, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN WARP DRAWING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

MACHINE FOR THREADIN G TUFT-YARNS.

Application filed January 31, 1914.

To all w/wm it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES LEA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massa chusetts, (whose post-office address is corner of F reeport and Beach streets, Dorchester, Massachusetts,) have invented an Improvement in Machines for Threading Tuft- Yarns, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts. I

This invention relates to machines for placing tu-ftyarns in carpet manufacture through the tubes of a tube frame such as is employed in the manufacture of'Axminster or similar carpets or rugs. It applies more particularly to what is known as wide. work where the carpet or rug is woven in a single width and the length of the tube frame is considerably greater than that of the tube frames which tubing machines heretofore employed have been adapted to handle.

In performing wide work an extra long' tube frame is customarily employed in conjunction with two, three or more spools of common or ordinary length, the latter being serially arranged in a suitable holder attached to the tube frame so that after the yarns are threaded through the tubes the spools remain in the holder in the same relation as heretofore and serve in effect as a single spool from which the yarns are fed simultaneously through the tubes when in the loom.

In threading the varns in the case of a tube frame used for extra wide work and particularly where such tube frame is to be supplied with yarns from a series of single spools. it is desirable to perform the tubing operation in a succession of operations, usually one threading operation for each spool. That is to say, in the case of a tube frame requiring three spools of ordinary length arranged in a series, the threading of the yarns is best performed by first threading all the yarns of one spool simultaneously through the tubes, then the yarns of the next spool, and finally the yarns of the third spool, the spools being then locked together upon the tube frame so that they may turn as a unit.

In the form of the invention herein de- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

Serial No. 815,824.

needles, the needle bank being of lesserwidth than the length of the entire tube frame, but the needles being sufficient in number to draw at one threading all the yarns on any one spool of the series which is employed. \Vhen any given section of the tube frame is placed in operative relation to the needles, a spool, the yarn of which is to be used to fill that particular section of the tube frame, may be placed in the spool holder of the machine and the needles projected through the tubes to seize the yarns and draw them through the tubes of that particular section of the frame. The spool may then be placed in its holder in the tube frame, the latter shifted with relation to the needles and the operation repeated with the next spool, and so on until allthe yarns of the several spools of the series have been threaded.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of' onespecific embodiment thereof. while its scope willbe more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure l is a plan view on a small scale of a tube frame intended for wide work, the same being equipped with a holder having three spools of ordinary width: Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one end of a tubing machine embodying one form of the invention and adapted to thread the yarns for a tube frame like that shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar front elevation of the opposite end of the machine shown in Fig. 2: Fig. 4 is" a central. sectional elevation taken on the line in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a detail showing the spool releasing mechanism: Fig. 6 shows one end of the machine in elevation: Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 in Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 8 is a detail in plan showing the holding bracket for the spools on the tube frame; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same device; Fig. 10 is a plan of the end of the machine shown in Fig. 2'; Fig. 11 is a plan of the end of the machine shown in Fig. 3; and Fig. 12 is a detail in end elevation showing the connection of the transfer comb to the ends of the spool.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, I have there shown a tube frame intended for wide work. This comprises the metallic tubes 1 supported on the tube bar or carrier 2, the latter provided at its ends with the spring clips 3 for holding the spools.- This is the ordinary construction except for the unusual length of the bar and the number of tubes. In the present case the tube frame is shown as of a length requiring three common spools, 1. these being supported after the tubing operation as usual in the clips 3 (as represented in Fig. 1) and the intermediate brackets 5, the latter shown in detail "in Figs. 8 and 9.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 each bracket carries a split journaled support 6 in which the pintles of adjoining spools rest. The upper portion 7 of the journaled support is hinged at 8 so that it can be lifted and the spool inserted or withdrawn. The screw 9 or any other suitable means may be employed to fasten the hinged portion to the fixed portion 7 when the spool is in place.

Means are preferably provided whereby the spools when resting in their journals may be turned as a unit but which permits the spools to be separately inserted in or withdrawn'from the holder. 'Herein this is secured by providing the end face of the pintle of one spool with a diametrical slot or keyway 10 and the face of the opposed pintle with a diametrical key 11 adapted to register with and enter the slot. 10.

The yarns are wound upon each spool preparatory to the tubing operation by means of a set frame or spooling machine and are held separated at their ends by means of a transfer or alining comb 12 (Fig. 12) all as described in application Serial No. 492,038, filed April 24, 1909, jointly by Edgar F. Hathaway and myself. The transfer comb 12 as shown in Fig. 12 is secured to the face of the spool by means of the spring fasteners 13 which engage each a projecting pintle ofthe spool and the end of the comb. In this condition the spools may be stored in quantity and used at the tubing machine as required.

Referring to the tubing machine itself and more particularly to the means for supporting the tube frame, the latter is carried by a tube frame support 14, preferably of a width sufficient to afford support to the tube frame in the several successive positions of the latter, while in the machine. T 0 this end the support 14 is carried upon the upright frame members 15, but projects at either side (Figs. 2 and 3) for a considerable distance beyond the frame. The support is provided at intervals with laterally projecting arms 16 on which the tube frame carrier 2 is adapted to rest and is also provided with a raised plate or bar 17 coextensive in length with the support 14 with which the under side of the tubes have direct contact when in the machine.

To properly aline the tubes in that section of the tube frame which opposes the threading needles. the portion of the support 14 be tween the frame supports 15 is provided with a notched or grooved tube rest 18 in which ends of the tubes are adapted to restin alinement with the needles when the tube frame is placed in the machine. To forcibly preserve this alinement a swinging clamp bar 19 is provided which is carried on trunnions 20 journaled in the supporting arms 21 carried by the frame 15 and may be swung into or out of engagement with the tube frame bythe handle The lower side of the clamp bar 19 is grooved to correspond to the exterior of the tubes so that, when swung into engagement with the tubes. it holds that portion of the tubes resting in the bar 18 in an operative relation to the needles and forcibly clamped in position.

The supporting arms 21 are carried by the frame so as to overhang the tube frame and the tube frame support I-i and offer no interference either to the tube frame itself or to the adjustment of the latter to different positions along their support.

In performing the tubing operation the tube frame is placed in the machine upon the support with that section of the tubes through which it is desired to pass the yarns from the first spool resting in the grooved bar 18, in which position they are brought into alinement with the needles.

The drawing may be started at either end of the tube frame, but herein I have represented the operation as carried out by first threading the tubes at the left hand section of the tube frame as viewed in Fig. 3, the intermediate section and right hand section resting upon that portion of the tube frame support which overhangs and projects be yond the right hand side of the machine as viewed in the same figure. \Vith this position) of the tube frame a spool is placed ,in the holder and the threading operation performed as described in the application Serial No. 492,038 hereinbefore referred to. The spool is then withdrawn from the holder in the machine, the slack yarn wound up, and the spool placed in the holding: devices attached to the tube carrier. The tube frame "is then unclamzped by anoving the handle 22 and with its attached spool is moved along the support until the adjacent or intermediate section of the tubes is brought in registration with the needles and the notched rest 18, whereupon the tube frame is clamped in this position and the tion of the operation repeated with reference to a second spool. During this operation the sectube frame which has already been threaded rests upon that portion of the support which projects at the left hand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 2.

The intermediate section of tubes having been threaded the tube frame is again relocated to bring the third or right hand section of unthreaded tubes in alinement with the needles and the operation repeated a third time, this position of the tube frame being represented in Figs. 10 and 11 where the first and intermediate section of threaded tubes are shown as resting wholly upon the support projecting at the left hand side of the machine.

The supporting plate 17 for the tube frame is shown as somewhat widened out at the left of the machine as viewed in Fig. 10 to provide a trinnning gage 17. When the yarns have all been threaded the tube frame may be laid to bring projecting ends of the yarns flatwise on the gage. as represented in dotted lines in Fig. 10, with their ends pr0 ject-ing beyond the edge of the gage. The projecting ends may then be trimmed along the edge of the gage bringing them to a uniform and required length. The gage or plate 17' is preferably of a sufiicient length to accommodate-the entire tube frame.

Each individual tubing operation and the device for performing the same are substantially the same as that described in the aforesaid application Serial No. 92038 being briefly as follows: The needles 30 (Figs. 5. 6 and 10) of which there is one for each tube. are fixedly secured in a cross bar 31 secured at each end toa slide bar 32 (Figs. 4: and 10) the latter adapted to slide through guideways on the frame. To advance or retract the needles the lower edge of each slide bar is provided with rack teeth-33 (Fig. i) which mesh with the gears 34. the latter secured to the operating shaft 35.

The shaft is turned by means of a pinion 36 at one end thereof (Figs. 2 and 10) meshing with a segmental gear 37 (Figs. 2 and 4) the latter carried by the lever arm 38 pivoted to the frame at 39 and having at its rear end the cam roll t0 which is engaged by the track cam -11. The latter is secured to the countershaft 42 and has its periphery provided with gear teeth 43 meshing with the pinion 44 on the main drive shaft Power being applied to the shaft 4s) the needles are caused to advance and retract. the canril being so shaped as to cause a complete reciprocatory movement of the entire bank of needles for one full revolution of the can]. a

The power may be applied by the operator at will to the power shaft 45 by devices shown in Figs. 8. (3 and 11 and which are fully described in the joint application aforesaid. Forming no essential part of the present invention they need be no further described herein.

The needles are held separated and guided by the sliding guide bar 50. The latter is carried at opposite ends by the slide rods 51 which are caused to advance with the needles by the friction between the latter and the guide bar until the hooks of the needles are within the tubes and the guide bar abuts against the ends of the tubes. whereupon the needles advance relatively to the guide bar. On retraction the needles move through the guide bar 50 until the cross bar 31 strikes a collar 52 on each slide rod 51 whereupon the guide bar 50 moves back with the needles.

As also described in the aforementioned joint application, a notched or grooved guide bar 60 is also provided at the opposite ends of the tubes between the tubes and the yarns (Fig. 4) to guide and aline theneedles after emerging from the large ends of the tubes. In the present case this guide bar is secured at each end to levers 61 pivoted at 62 upon the overhanging supporting arms 21. The aforesaid end of each lever is provided with a laterally projecting pin 63 secured to a spring 61 fastened to the frame, so that the bar is normally drawn'up out of the needle path. Each end of the needle cross bar 31. however, (see Figs. 6, 10 and 11) is provided with a cam 65 and inclined upper face so positioned that when the needles are advanced and about to emerge from the large ends of the tubes the rear ends of the guide bar levers (51 are engaged by the cam and the guide bar depressed. as represented in dotted lines in Fig. l. This swings the toothed or notched needle guide into engagement with the needles as the latter emerge from the tube, Wedging such as are out of alinement into the required alinement. As the needles retract the guide bar 60 automatically lifts out of the path of the yarns.

After each drawing operation a fresh spool is placed in the holder of the machine and the operation repeated until the tube frame has been completely threaded. The holder is of substantially the same construction as that shown in my prior sole application Serial No. 637.144. filed July 6. 1911. This comprises the two oppositely disposed cup-shaped holders 70. 71 (Figs. 2. 3 and Al adapted each to receive an end of the spool and carried by the brackets 72 attached to the under side of the tube frame support 14. Each of the end supports 70, 71 is provided with gear teeth 73 meshing, with pinions 74 carried on the common shaft 75 so that the spool may be turned to wind up the slack by means of the hand wheel 76. Any suitable means are employed to provide interlocking engagement between the ends of the spools and the cup-shaped supports 70 and 71, so that both ends of the spool are turned simultaneously by means of the hand wheel. The support is pressed by means of the spiral spring 77 toward the spool so that the latter may be inserted 01' withdrawn at will. When the spool is about to be inserted in the holder the transfer or alining comb 1'2 is detached therefrom and sufficient length of yarn is unwound from the spool to permit the insertion of the lateral groove of the grooved comb holder bar 80 (Fig. 21). The latter is supported for sliding movement at each end in one of the overhangingarms -31, the bar and the groove therein being of sufficient length to receive and support the comb throughout its entire length.

When the needles are projected through the tubes they pass between successive yarn strands and beyond the same and in that position the comb is given a lateral movement to lay each yarn in the bight of the adjacent needle. Such lateral movement is obtained by devices described in the joint application referred to. being briefly as follows: At one end (see Fig. 11) the grooved comb holder St) is secured to the end of the curved arm 81, the latter at its lower end being secured to a shaft 82 (Figs. 3. 6 and T) slidably mounted in a frame. The opposite end of the shaft (Fig. 2) is provided with a collar or enlargement 83 between which and the adjacent frame there is provided a coil spring 84 which tends to move the shaft and the arm 81 into the position represented in'Fig. 3. At the opposite end of the shaft. however. and between the arm 81 and the frame there are provided devices whereby the shaft may be moved endwise, thereby moving the comb laterally to lay the yarns across the needles. as heretofore described. To provide for this movement there is provided between the arm 81 and the frame the actuating arm 85 carrying the rearwardly projecting portion 86 having a transverse pin ST extending laterally therefrom. The latter bears against a cam face HS presenting an inclined path to the pin so that when the actuator arm is thrown forward the pin is caused to ride up on the face of the cam pressing the actuating arm 85 against the hub of the actuator arm 81. thereby forcing the sliding shaft outwardly in its bearings. The actuator arm is normally drawn back by the spring 89 against the pusher arm 90. the latter. however. being adapted to be thrown forward at the appropriate time by the lever 92. which in turn is actuated by a cam 93 on the countershaft 42.

\Vhen the needles are retracted. as has been explained by prior application Serial o. 637.414. it is desirable to provide a certain amount of slack in the threads to permit the strands to be drawn through the tubes, this being done by releasing the spool so that the latter may unwind under the draft of the needles and provide the required slack. The spool is normally locked against nnwinding movement by means of the pawl (Fig. which engages the teeth of the ratchet 101 attached to the cupshaped spool holder 71. The pawl, however, is lifted at the appropriate time by means of the cam 102 carried on the shaft which is attached to the actuating arm 85. \Vhen the shaft is turned by the forward movement of the actuator arm 85, as heretofore described. the cam is turned'and lifts the pawl 100 and maintains the same lifted for a suflicient time to provide the g necessary slack. The cam may be adjusted so that the relaxation of the yarns will occur at any suitable time. but preferably it is such that as the needles retract to a position just within the tubes. the pawl is lifted. the spool released and the yarns commence to unwind from the spool under the pull of the needles until the pawl is again dropped into the ratchet by the reverse movement of the shaft 82. The spool is again held fixed by the pawl. preferably about the time the needles emerge from the tubes, although these movements may be varied to suit dif ferent conditions.

Claims: a

1. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame in carpet manufacture. said tube frame having means for holding thereon a plurality of spools in serial arrangement. the combination with a machine frame having upright supports, a series or bank of needles having a path of movement between said upright supports, a tube frame support for holding successive portions of the tube frame between said upright supports and in operative relation to the needles, means to clamp and hold the section or portion of the tube frame which is placed in operative relation to the needles in alinement therewith, said tube frame support extending on either side of and beyond the upright frame supports of the machine and in non-interfering relation to said upright supports and the operating parts of the machine. whereby support is afforded for portions of the tube frame out of operative relation to the needles, means upon the machine for holding a spool with its yarns in operative relation to be seized by the needles. and means for causing relative movement between the needles on the one hand and the tubes and the yarns on the other to thread the yarns through the tubes. whereby successive sections of the tube frame may be threaded with the yarns from successive spools and the spools attached to the frame.

2. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame in carpet manufacture, said tube frame having means 130 for holding thereon a plurality of spools in serial arrangement, the combination with a series or bank of needles, atube frame support for holding successive portions of the tube frame in operative relation to the needles together with means for holding in alinement with-the needles those portions of the tubes which are placed in operative relation thereto, said support extending on either side beyond the extent of said needle bank and in non-interfering relation to the operating parts of the machine, whereby support is afforded for portions of the tube frame out of operative relation to the needles, means for holding a spool in the machine with its yarns in position to be drawn through the tubes, means for causing relative movement between the needles and the tubes to simultaneously draw the yarns whereby the yarns from successive spools may be threaded through successive portions of the tube frame and the spool serially attached to the tube frame.

3. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame, in carpet manufacture, said tube frame having means for holding t ereon a plurality of spools in serial arrangement, the combination with means for holding the yarns of a single spool, a series or bank of needles, means for simultaneously engaging the yarns by the needles, and a tube frame support of greater extent than the width of the bank of needles with means for holding alined those tubes of the tube frame which are placed in operative relation to the needles, said support being in non-interfering relation to the operating parts of the machine, whereby successive portions of the tube frame may be threaded with successive spools.

4. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame, the latter being adapted to hold serially a plurality of spools, the combination with means on the machine for holding the yarns of a single spool, a bank or series of needles, means for moving the same in relation to the yarns, and means for holding a tube frame in successive positions upon said machine with successive portions thereof in operative relation to the yarns and the needles the portions of said tube frame out of operative relation to the yarns and the needles being in non-interfering relation to the operative parts of the machine, whereby the yarns from a plurality of spools may be threaded in succession thereon.

5. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame in carpet manufacture, said tube frame having means for holding thereon a plurality of spools in serial arrangement, the combination with a series or bank of needles, with means for actuating the same, of aspool holder, de-.

vices to hold the ends of the yarns, a tube frame support, means overhanging the tube frame support for supporting said yarn holding devices, free lateral movement of the tube frame on said support being permitted without interference with said overhanging means, said tube frame support extending laterally beyond and on either side of said overhanging device and in non-interfering relation to the operating parts of the machine to support the portions of the tube frame out of operative relation to the needles.

6. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame in carpet manufacture, said tube frame having means for holding thereon a plurality of spools in serial arrangement, the combination with a series or bank of needles, with means for actuating the same, of a spool holder, a tube frame support, means for clamping the tube frame on said support, supporting means overhanging the said tube frame and carrying said clamping means, said tube frame support extending laterally beyond and at operating parts of the machine, whereby the tube frame may be moved laterally on said support without interference with said overhanging devices.

7. In a machine for threading tuft yarns through the tubes of a tube frame in'carpet manufacture, said tube frame having means for holding thereon a plurality of spools in serial arrangement, the combination with a series or bank of needles, means for actuating the same, means for holding the yarns in the machine, a tube frame support, means for guiding the needles between the tubes and the yarns, devices overhanging the tube frame support for carrying said needle guiding means, said tube frame support extending laterally at either side of said overhanging devices and in non-interfering relation to the operating parts of the machine, whereby the tube frame may be moved laterally on said support without interference with said overhanging devices.

8. In a tubing machine adapted for use with a wide tube frame, the latter having a journaled support thereon for a plurality of spools, said spools being rotatable as a unit but capable of separate and successive installation in the frame, the combination with a series or bank of needles of lesser number than the number of tubes inv the frame, means for holding'a single spool with the yarns in operative relation to the needles, an extension support for the tubeframe prolonged at either side of the bank of needles means to clamp the tube frame in successive ositions to bring successive portions thereof in operative relation to the needles and means for moving the needles to tube the yarns.

9. In a tubing machine adapted for use with a Wide tube frame, the latter having a journaled support thereon for a plurality of spools, said spools being rotatable as a unit but capable of separate and successive installation in the frame, the combination with a machine frame with upright supports, a series or bank of needles having a path of movement between said supports, an extension support for the tube frame on the machine, means for holding a single spool with the yarns in operative relation to the needles, means for moving the needles, devices overhanging the tube frame support to cooperate with the needles, said tube frame support being prolonged at either side of said upright supports and beyond said overhanging devices to support the portions of the tube frame and the spools carried thereon which are not in operative relation to the needles and Without interference with the said overhanging devices or with the operating parts of the machine, and means to clamp the tube frame in successive positions to bring successive portions of the tube frame into operative relation to the needles.

10. The method of placing tuft yarnsthrough the tubes of an extra Wide tube frame, adapted to be equipped with a plurality of spools which consists in first alining and tubing the yarns from one spool While the latter is still detached from the frame to thread the first corresponding section of tubes, installing the spool in the frame, subsequently alining and tubing the yarns from a second spool to thread the yarns thereof through the next succeeding section of tubes and installing said second spool serially in the same frame.

11. The method of placing tuft yarns through the tubes of an extra wide tube frame adapted to be equipped with a plurality of spools, which consists in first alining the firsttsection of tubes with relation to the yarns from one spool, simultaneously placing the yarns from said spool through the corresponding tubes of the frame, then installing the spool in the frame, next alining the next section of tubes with relation to the yarns from a second spool, simultaneously placing the yarns therefrom through the corresponding alined tubes of said next section and then installing said second spool in the frame.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES LEA Witnesses:

THOMAS B. Boom, Evnnm'r S. EMERY. 

